Glow wire for actuator

Abstract

A release mechanism comprising: a conductive strip including a first and a second inner leg sections configured to be resilient; and at least one electrically conductive top bridge section connecting the inner leg sections configured to break a cable positioned against the at least one top bridge section when an electrical current is applied through the at least one top bridge section releasing an actuator secured by the cable.

Description

GLOW WIRE FOR ACTUATORFIELD

[0001] The specification relates generally to actuator devices, and specifically to release mechanisms for actuator devices.BACKGROUND

[0002] Actuators are used to release loads. Pyrotechnic actuators contain an explosive energy source to trigger the release of a load. Impact of the explosion of the energy source may damage the load as well as the pyrotechnic actuator itself.SUMMARY

[0003] A release mechanism comprising: a conductive strip including a first and a second inner leg sections configured to be resilient; and at least one electrically conductive top bridge section connecting the inner leg sections configured to break a cable positioned against the at least one top bridge section when an electrical current is applied through the at least one top bridge section releasing an actuator secured by the cable.BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Embodiments are described with reference to the following figures.

[0005] FIGS. 1 A and 1 B depict a front view of an example actuator in a triggered, and a secured configuration, respectively.

[0006] FIGS. 2A and 2B depict a front, top and right perspective view and a rear, top and left perspective view, respectively, of an example release mechanism comprising an example conductive strip and an example connection terminal block.

[0007] FIGS. 3A and 3B depict a front, top and right perspective view and a rear, top and left perspective view, respectively, of the example conductive strip of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0008] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a front, top and right perspective view and a rear, top and left perspective view, respectively, of the example connection terminal block of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0009] FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of an example printed circuit board (PCB).

[0010] FIGS. 6A and 6B depict front views of the example PCB of FIG. 5 arranged proximal to the example release mechanism of FIGS. 2A and 2B in a secured, and a triggered configuration, respectively.

[0011] FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart of an example method for controlling an actuator using the release mechanism and the PCB depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

[0012] FIG. 8 depicts an example arrangement of two example release mechanisms supported in an example actuator plate.

[0013] FIG. 9 depicts a flowchart of an example method for controlling an actuator using the two example release mechanisms of FIG. 8.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] FIG. 1 A depicts an example actuator 100 in a triggered, or open configuration. The actuator 100 comprises a first actuator plate 104 and a second actuator plate 108 with a biasing member 112 arranged between them and configured to bias the first and the second actuator plates 108 and 112 apart from each other. The example biasing member 112 is a conical coil spring; however, a different type of biasing member may be alternatively used, for example, a cylindrical coil spring, a torsion spring, a flat spring, a pneumatic cylinder / piston arrangement, a resilient material, etc.. The second actuator plate 108 also supports a release mechanism 116. The release mechanism 116 may be alternatively supported in the first actuator plate 104. The release mechanism 116 may be an explosive release mechanism including an explosive energy source to trigger the explosive release mechanism. Alternatively, the release mechanism 116 may be a non-explosive release mechanism not including the explosive energy source. A non-explosive release mechanism may facilitate reuse of the actuator 100 as a triggering of the nonexplosive release mechanism without using the explosive energy source may prevent the triggering from damaging the actuator 100, as well as potentially damaging a load released by the actuator 100. Additional benefits of using a non-explosive release mechanism to trigger the actuator 100 include less shock, less noise, lower operating pressures, less regulatory issues, no generation of potentially hazardous or polluting chemicals or residue, electrostatic discharge (ESD) safe actuation, etc.

[0015] FIG. 1 B depicts the example actuator 100 in a secured or closed configuration. A cable 124 may be arranged through the release mechanism 116, the first and the second actuator plates 104 and 108. The cable 124 may be, for example, a cord, a wire, or any other thin element capable of bearing a load sufficient to counter the biasing member 112 and maintain the actuator 100 in the secured configuration. Additionally, the cable 124 may be made of a material that breaks, ruptures, melts, deforms or yields when exerted to a suitable threshold condition by the release mechanism 116, for example, when being heated to a suitable threshold temperature, when being subjected to a suitable threshold force, when a suitable threshold current is applied through it, etc., in order to allow the biasing member 112 to urge the actuator 100 into the triggered configuration when the release mechanism 116 is triggered. Guiding channels may be provided in the first and the second actuator plates 104 and 108 ease the arrangement of the cable 124.

[0016] FIGS. 2A and 2B depict an example non-explosive release mechanism 200 that may be used as the release mechanism 116 of the example actuator 100. The nonexplosive release mechanism 200 includes a conductive strip 204 and a connection terminal block 208 configured to support the conductive strip 204, the conductive strip 204 being supported by the connection terminal block 208.

[0017] FIG. 3A depicts a front, top and right perspective view of the example conductive strip 204. The conductive strip 204 may be manufactured by any suitable manufacturing method or combination of manufacturing methods, for example, stamping and bending, plating, casting, sintering, 3D-printing, etc. The conductive strip 204 may bemade of any electrically conductive material such as, for example, stainless steel, copper, aluminum etc. Alternatively, at least one section of the conductive strip 204 may be made of an electrically conductive material. The conductive strip 204 may optionally additionally be partially or fully coated with a highly electrically and thermally conductive material, such as, for example, silver plating, gold plating, copper plating, etc. to reduce an electrical resistance or enhance a thermal conductivity of the conductive strip 204, or of at least one section of the conductive strip 204. Alternatively, if the conductive strip 204 is manufactured of a material that is not electrically conductive, a partial or full coating of an electrically conductive material may render the conductive strip 204, or at least one section of the conductive strip 204 electrically and thermally conductive.

[0018] The conductive strip 204 comprises a first and a second inner leg sections 300- 1 and 300-2 (collectively referred to as the inner leg sections 300 and generally referred to as an inner leg section 300). The first and the second inner leg sections 300-1 and 300-2 include a first and a second inner leg base subsections 301 -1 and 301 -2 (collectively referred to as the inner leg base subsections 301 and generally referred to as an inner leg base subsection 301 ), respectively, and a first and a second inner leg top subsections 302-1 and 302-2 (collectively referred to as the inner leg top subsections 302 and generally referred to as an inner leg top subsection 302), respectively, distal from the inner leg base subsections 301 and positioned at a relaxed height HR from the inner leg base subsections 301 . The conductive strip 204 further comprises a top bridge section 304 connecting the inner leg top subsections 302. The top bridge section 304 may have sufficient mechanical strength not to break by a force applied to it by the cable 124 when the cable 124 is positioned against the top bridge section 304 to set an actuator 100 in the secured configuration. The top bridge section 304 is a glow wire section that produces heat when an electrical current runs through it, heating the cable 124 when the cable 124 is in contact with the top bridge section 304, rapidly breaking, for example, by melting, the cable 124, in for example, less than about 5 ms. In this example, the inner leg sections 300 and the top bridge section 304 are all electrically conductive, forming a continuous electrical contact inner line from the first inner leg base subsection 301 -1 through the top bridge section 304 to the second inner leg base subsection 301-2, so that a pair of electrical contacts may be placed at any location along the first inner leg section 300-1and the second inner leg section 300-2 to provide the electrical current that heats the top bridge section 304 and breaks the cable 124. However, not all the subsections of the inner leg sections 300 need be electrically conductive, for example, an alternative conductive strip with only inner leg top subsections 302 that are electrically conductive would still allow for placement of an electrical contact on each of the top subsections 302 to drive an electrical current that would heat the top bridge section 304 and break the cable 124.

[0019] The conductive strip 204 further comprises a first and a second outer leg sections 308-1 and 308-2 (collectively referred to as the outer leg sections 308 and generally referred to as an outer leg section 308) to provide increased mechanical stability to the conductive strip 204. Additionally, the outer leg sections 308 may lengthen an electrically conductive path comprising the electrical contact inner line to provide additional possible locations along the conductive strip 204 to provide the electrical current that heats the top bridge section 304 and breaks the cable 124. The first and the second outer leg sections 308-1 and 308-2 include a first and a second outer leg base subsections 309-1 and 309-2 (collectively referred to as the outer leg base subsections 309 and generally referred to as an outer leg base subsection 309), respectively, and a first and a second outer leg top subsections 310-1 and 310-2 (collectively referred to as the outer leg top subsections 310 and generally referred to as an outer leg top subsection 310), respectively, distal from the outer leg base subsections 309 and positioned at a contact height Hcfrom the first and the outer leg base subsections 309. The conductive strip 204 further comprises a first and a second base bridge sections 312-1 and 312-2 (collectively referred to as the base bridge sections 312 and generally referred to as a base bridge section 312) connecting the first inner leg base subsection 301 -1 to the first outer leg base subsection 309-1 and the second inner leg base subsection 301 -2 to the second outer leg base subsection 309-2, respectively. The outer leg sections 308 and the base bridge sections 312 provide additional mechanical stability to the conductive strip 204 by distributing a portion of a load imparted to the top bridge section 304 by the cable 124 that would otherwise be fully absorbed by the inner leg sections 300. Additionally, in this example, the outer leg sections 308 and the base bridge sections 312 are all electrically conductive, forming a continuous electrical contact path throughout theconductive strip 204, so that the electrical current that breaks the cable 124 may run between any location of the first inner leg section 300-1 or the first outer leg section 308-1 to any location of the second inner leg section 300-2 or the second outer leg section 308-2, for example, along a continuous electrical contact outer line spanning from the first outer leg top subsection 310-1 through the continuous electrical contact inner line to the second outer leg top subsection 310-2. However, the outer leg sections 308 and the base bridge sections 312 don’t need to be electrically conductive, for example, when only the inner leg top subsections 302 of the inner leg sections 300 are electrically conductive.

[0020] Any subsection of any of the inner or the outer leg sections 300 or 308, or any combination of subsections of any of the leg sections 300 or 308 may be resilient, effectively making its corresponding leg section 300 or 308 resilient. For example, a bend provided between the first inner leg base and top subsections 301 -1 and 302-1 may turn the combination of the bend and the first inner leg base and top subsections 301 -1 and 302-1 into a leaf spring, making the first inner leg section 300-1 resilient. Alternatively, an additional resilient subsection, for example a coil spring subsection a torsion spring subsection, etc., may be provided, for example, between the first inner leg base and top subsections 301 -1 and 302-1 to make the first inner leg section 300-1 resilient. As an alternative, any of the leg sections 300 or 308 may not be resilient but may be provided with a resilient-like functionality by means of, for example, an electrically activated subsection such as, for example, a piezoelectric subsection that deforms upon application of a current through it. As a further alternative, any of the leg sections 300 or 308 or any of their subsections may be made of a resilient material. Additionally, some of the leg sections 300 and 308 may be less resilient than the other leg sections 300 and 308, for example, the outer leg sections 308 may be less resilient than the inner leg sections 300 to help provide stability to the conductive strip 204. Furthermore, not all of the leg sections 300 and 308 need to be resilient, for example, in this example embodiment, at least the inner leg sections 300 are resilient.

[0021] FIG. 3B depicts a rear, top and left perspective view of the conductive strip 204, showing that the outer leg base sections 308 further comprise top guides 316-1 and 316-2 (collectively referred to as the top guides 316 and generally referred to as a top guide 316) and outer base guides 320-1 and 320-2 (collectively referred to as the outer baseguides 320 and generally referred to as an outer base guide 320). The inner leg sections 300 further comprise inner base guides 324-1 and 324-2 (collectively referred to as the inner base guides 324 and generally referred to as an inner base guide 324). The top guides 316, the outer base guides 320 and the inner base guides 324 may interact with matching guide channels of the connection terminal block 208 to secure the conductive strip 204 to the connection terminal block 208.

[0022] While FIGS. 3A and 3B depict an example conductive strip 204 with one top bridge section 304, an alternative conductive strip may be provided with more than one top bridge section, for example, with least one additional top bridge section connecting a first inner leg top subsection to a second inner leg top subsection of the alternative conductive strip, facilitating a more secure placement of the cable 124 through the alternative conductive strip and enhancing a heat transfer from the top bridge sections to the cable 124 when an electrical current is applied in order to break the cable 124.

[0023] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict the example connection terminal block 208. The connection terminal block 208 may be made of an electrically insulating material such as, for example, a polymer such as melamine, polyamide, etc. The connection terminal block 208 comprises a first and a second inner channels 400-1 and 400-2 (collectively referred to as the inner channels 400 and generally referred to as an inner channel 400), a first and a second outer channels 404-1 and 404-2 (collectively referred to as the outer channels 404 and generally referred to as an outer channel 404). The inner channels 400 are configured to support the inner leg sections 300 and the outer channels 404 are configured to support the outer leg sections 308. The connection terminal block also comprises a closed front face 408 and an open rear face 410. The closed front face 408 includes a first and a second inner windows 412-1 and 412-2 (collectively referred to as the inner windows 412 and generally referred to as an inner window 412) and a first and a second outer windows 416-1 and 416-2 (collectively referred to as the outer windows 416 and generally referred to as an outer window 416). The inner and the outer windows 412 and 416 may facilitate portions of the inner and the outer leg sections 300 and 308 to protrude from the closed front face 408 when the conductive strip 204 is arranged in the connection terminal block 208. The outer channels 404 include top guide channels 420-1 and 420-2 (collectively referred to as the top guide channels 420 and generallyreferred to as a top guide channel 420) and outer base guide channels 424-1 and 424-2 (collectively referred to as the outer base channels 424 and generally referred to as an outer base channel 424). The inner channels 400 include inner base channels 428-1 and 428-2 (collectively referred to as the inner base channels 428 and generally referred to as an inner base channel 428). The top guide channels 420, the outer base channels 424, and the inner base channels 428 may be complementary to the top guides 316, the outer base guides 320, and the inner base guides 324, respectively, to facilitate an assembly of the conductive strip 204 with the connection terminal block 208 by inserting the inner and the outer leg sections 300 and 308 into the inner and the outer channels 400 and 404, respectively, through the open rear face 410. In an alternative embodiment, any of the top, outer base, and the inner base guides 316, 320 and 324, and any of their respective complementary top, outer base, and inner base guide channels 420, 424 and 428 may be omitted. Alternatively, additional guides and complementary guide channels may be provided to further secure the conductive strip 204 to the connection terminal block 208. Additionally, the connection terminal block 208 includes a cable track 232 extending from the front face 408 to the rear face 410 between the first and the second inner channels 400-1 and 400-2. The cable track 232 may ease the placement of the cable 124 on the non-explosive release mechanism 200.

[0024] FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of a printed circuit board PCB 500. The PCB 500 includes a first and a second inner electrical contacts 504-1 and 504-2 (collectively referred to as the inner electrical contacts 504 and generally referred to as an inner electrical contact 504), and a first and a second outer electrical contacts 508-1 and 508- 2 collectively referred to as the outer electrical contacts 508 and generally referred to as an outer electrical contact 508). The inner electrical contacts 504 are arranged between the outer electrical contacts 508. A processor may be provided in the PCB 500 in direct communication with the inner and the outer electrical contacts 504 and 508. Alternatively, the processor may be provided exterior to the PCB 500 and may communicate with the inner and the outer electrical contacts 504 and 508 with, for example, a wireless transmitter. The processor may comprise a memory communicatively connected to the processor. The memory may comprise a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium that may be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device.The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of the memory may include, for example, Random Access Memory (RAM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read- Only Memory (EEPROM), flash memory, a storage drive, an optical disc, or the like. The processor may include one or more of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a processing core, a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or the like, and combinations thereof. The processor and the memory may cooperate to execute various instructions to interact with the non-explosive release mechanism 200 through the inner and the outer electrical contacts 504 and 508 to control a triggering of the nonexplosive release mechanism 200 when the PCB is placed proximal to conductive strip 204 with the inner and the outer electrical contacts 504 and 508 facing the conductive strip 204 so that the outer electrical contacts 508 may contact the outer leg top subsections 310. The non-explosive release mechanism 200, controlled by the processor may have a release time of less than about 5 ms. Additionally, the processor may be used to determine that the non-explosive release mechanism 200 has been triggered when the inner leg top subsections 302 may contact the inner electrical contacts 504 when the inner leg top subsections 302 are positioned at the relaxed height HR, as further explained below.

[0025] FIGS. 6A and 6B depict the non-explosive release mechanism 200 with the conductive strip 204 arranged proximal to the printed circuit board (PCB) 500 with the non-explosive release mechanism 200 in a secured, and a triggered configuration, respectively. The non-explosive release mechanism 200 may be set in the secured configuration, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the cable 124 is positioned against the top bridge section 304 and applies a force to the top bridge section 304 that positions the inner leg top subsections 302 at a stressed height Hs from the inner leg base subsections 301 , the stressed height Hs being different to the relaxed height HR (HS + HR), and being different to a triggered height HT (HS + HT) at which the inner leg top subsections 302 are in contact with the inner electrical contacts 504, so that in the secured configuration, the inner leg top subsections 302 do not contact the inner electrical contacts 504. In this example, the force that the cable 124 applies to the top bridge section 304 is a compressive force, and the stressed height Hs is shorter than the relaxed height HR and is shorter than the triggered height HT (HS < HR and Hs < HT) ; additionally, in this example,the triggered height HT is shorter than the relaxed height HR (HT < HR) and is equal to the contact height He (HT = He) at which the outer leg top subsections 310 are in contact with the outer electrical contacts 508. However, in an alternative example, an alternative PCB may be configured and positioned differently with respect to non-explosive release mechanism 200, for example with alternative inner electrical contacts in an additional surface of the alternative PCB so that, for example, the cable 124 may apply a tension force to the top bridge section 304 that positions the inner leg top subsections 302 at an alternative stressed height that is larger than the relaxed height and that is larger than an alternative triggered height at which the inner leg top subsections 302 are in contact with the alternative inner electrical contacts. In this alternative example the alternative triggered height may also be larger than the contact height at which the outer leg top subsections 310 are in contact with alternative outer electrical contacts of the alternative PCB. The non-explosive release mechanism 200 may be set in the triggered configuration, as shown in FIG. 6B, when a current is applied by the processor between the first inner leg top subsection 302-1 and the second inner leg top subsection 302-2 that heats the top bridge section 304, breaking the cable 124 in less than about 5 ms. Once the non-explosive release mechanism 200 has been triggered, breaking the cable 124, the inner leg top subsections 302 are released to the triggered height HT. AS shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the outer leg top subsections 310 may remain in contact with the outer electrical contacts 508 at both the secured, and the triggered configuration. Alternatively, the breaking of the cable 124 may additionally urge the outer leg top subsections 310 to a different height at which they may no longer be in contact with the outer electrical contacts 508. As the outer electrical contacts 508 are in contact with the outer leg top subsections at least in the secured configuration, the outer electrical contacts 508 can be used as control contacts, so that a current applied between the first outer leg top subsection 310-1 and the second outer leg top subsection 310-2 by the processor through the electrical contacts 508 may heat the top bridge section 304 and break the cable 124. As shown in FIG. 6B, as the inner leg top subsections 302 are put in contact with the inner electrical contacts 504 in the triggered configuration, the inner electrical contacts 504 can be used as logic contacts to determine the state of the nonexplosive release mechanism 200. A current continuity test between the first and thesecond inner leg top subsections 302-1 and 302-2 may be performed by the processor by attempting to apply a test current through the inner leg top subsections 302 through the inner electrical contacts 504. When the test current is successfully applied between the inner electrical contacts 504, this can indicate that the cable 124 has been broken and that the non-explosive release mechanism 200 is in the triggered configuration. Additionally, if the outer leg top subsections 310 remain in contact with the outer electrical contacts 508 in the triggered configuration as in the present example, the current continuity test can be performed by the processor by attempting to apply a test current between any two adjacent electrical contacts of the PCB 500, for example, between the first outer electrical contact 508-1 and the first inner electrical contact 504-1 , between the second outer electrical contact 508-2 and the second inner electrical contact 504-1 , or between the inner electrical contacts 504, to determine whether the current broke the cable 124 and the non-explosive release mechanism 200 is in the triggered configuration.

[0026] An alternative non-explosive release mechanism with an alternative conductive strip omitting the outer leg sections may be controlled by a processor in an alternative PCB with at least two electrical contacts by arranging the alternative PCB proximal to the alternative conductive strip so that the at least two electrical contacts may contact inner leg sections of the alternative conductive strip in a secured configuration and so that the at least two electrical contacts may not contact the inner leg sections of the alternative conductive strip in a triggered configuration. A trigger current applied by the processor between the at least two electrical contacts may heat a bridge section of the alternative conductive strip, breaking the cable 124 and triggering the alternative non-explosive release mechanism. To determine that the alternative non-explosive release mechanism may be in the triggered configuration, a current continuity test by the processor between the at least two electrical contacts after the trigger current has been applied may indicate whether the cable 124 has been successfully broken.

[0027] FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart of an example method performed by a processor to control an actuator using a non-explosive release mechanism 200 interacting with the PCB 500, as depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

[0028] Starting at block 705, a determination may be made by the processor of whether the non-explosive release mechanism 200 is in a secured configuration. The determination of the secured configuration may be performed by running a test current through any two adjacent electrical contacts of the PCB 500 in possible contact with the non-explosive release mechanism 200, for example, through the first outer electrical contact 508-1 and the first inner electrical contact 504-1 , through the inner electrical contacts 504, or through the second inner electrical contact 504-2 and the second outer electrical contact 508-2. If open circuits are detected through any two adjacent electrical contacts of the PCB 500, an affirmative determination that the non-explosive release mechanism 200 is in the secured configuration can be made by the processor, indicating that a cable 124 is correctly arranged through the non-explosive release mechanism 200, as depicted in FIG. 6A. Conversely, if a closed circuit is detected through any two adjacent electrical contacts of the PCB 500, a negative determination can be made by the processor, indicating that the cable 124 is not properly arranged through the nonexplosive release mechanism 200.

[0029] If the determination at block 705 is negative, the processor may proceed to block 710. At block 710 the processor may generate a notification that the non-explosive release mechanism 200 is not in the secured configuration. The notification may be, for example, a visual or audio indication that a component, such as a display, a speaker, an LED light, etc. of a computing device wirelessly connected to the processor may generate. Additionally, the processor may optionally record the notification in a remote database.

[0030] After generating the notification, the processor may return to block 705 for a subsequent determination of the secured configuration.

[0031] If the determination at block 705 is affirmative, the processor may proceed to block 715. At block 715, a determination may be made by the processor of whether a trigger command has been generated, for example, by a different method run by the processor in parallel to the example method 700 or by a computing device wirelessly connected to the processor.

[0032] If the determination at block 715 is negative, the processor may return to block 705 for a subsequent determination of the secured configuration and iteration through the method 700.

[0033] If the determination at block 715 is affirmative, the processor may proceed to block 720. At block 720, the processor may drive a triggering current through the nonexplosive release mechanism 200, for example, through the outer electrical contacts 508, through the inner electrical contacts 504, through the first outer electrical contact 508-1 and the second inner electrical contact 504-2, or through the first inner electrical contact 504-1 and the second outer electrical contact 508-2, in order to break the cable 124 in, for example, less than about 5 ms.

[0034] After the triggering current has been driven by the processor through the nonexplosive release mechanism 200, the processor may proceed to block 725. At block 725, the processor may determine whether the non-explosive release mechanism 200 is in a triggered configuration. The determination of the triggered configuration may be performed by running a test current through any two adjacent electrical contacts of the PCB 500. If open circuits are detected through any two adjacent electrical contacts of the PCB 500, a negative determination that the non-explosive release mechanism 200 is in the triggered configuration can be made by the processor, indicating that the cable 124 did not break with the applied current. Conversely, if a closed circuit is detected through any two adjacent electrical contacts of the PCB 500, a positive determination can be made by the processor, indicating that the cable 124 was successfully broken and that the nonexplosive release mechanism is in the triggered configuration.

[0035] If the determination at block 725 is negative, the processor may return to block 720 for a subsequent attempt to trigger the non-explosive release mechanism 200, where, for example the processor may drive a triggering current through a different set of electrical contacts. Optionally, the processor may additionally or alternatively increase the triggering current in order to break the cable 124.

[0036] If the determination at block 725 is affirmative, the processor may proceed to block 730. At block 730, the processor may generate a notification indicating that the cable 124 was successfully broken and that the non-explosive release mechanism 200reached the triggered configuration. Additionally, the notification may include further details pertaining to the triggering of the non-explosive release mechanism 200, indicating, for example, a time to release, a number of attempts to release, etc. The notification may be, for example, a visual or audio indication that a component, such as a display, a speaker, an LED light, etc. of a computing device wirelessly connected to the processor may generate. Additionally, the processor may optionally record the notification in a remote database.

[0037] After generating the notification at block 730, the processor may exit the method 700.

[0038] FIG. 8 depicts an example partial non-explosive actuator assembly 800 an actuator plate 801 and a first and a second identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802-1 and 802-2 (collectively referred to as the identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802 and generally referred to as an identical non-explosive release mechanism 802). The identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802 may be nonexplosive release mechanisms 200 disclosed above comprising conductive strips and connection terminal blocks. The identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802 are supported in the actuator plate 801 by securing tabs 804-1 and 804-2, respectively. Alternatively, the securing tabs 804-1 and 804-2 may be omitted and the non-explosive release mechanisms 802 may be attached to the actuator plate 801 by, for example, a screw mechanism, an adhesive, etc. In a further alternative, the connection terminal blocks of the non-explosive release mechanisms 802 may be omitted and the conductive strips may be secured to the actuator plate 801 by, for example, a screw mechanism, a securing tab mechanism, an adhesive, etc. The actuator plate 801 also includes four cable guiding channels 808-1 to 808-4 to ease the arrangement of a cable 124. A different number of cable guiding channels may be alternatively be provided. Additionally, the actuator plate 801 also includes a cable tying tab 812 to secure the cable 124 to the assembly 800. While the cable tying tab 812 may ease securing the cable 124 to the assembly 800, alternatively, the cable tying tab 812 may be omitted and the cable may be secured to the assembly 800 by a different method, for example, with an adhesive, by a clamping mechanism, etc.

[0039] Providing a second identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-2, with a second conductive strip identical to the conductive strip of the first identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802-1 , and further arranging the cable 124 to press against a second top bridge section of the second conductive strip may facilitate applying a higher current through either the conductive strip or the second conductive strip, which may facilitate a faster breaking of the cable 124 and a faster triggering of the non-explosive actuator assembly 800 (for example, of less than about 2 ms) while still facilitating a determination of the state of the assembly 800 (whether the assembly is in a secured or a triggered configuration) since the higher current may additionally result in a breaking of a section or part of a section of the conductive strip through which the higher current is applied. For example, when the higher current is applied between a first outer leg top subsection and a second outer leg top subsection of the conductive strip of the first identical nonexplosive release mechanism 802-1 , this may result in the breaking of a top bridge section of the conductive strip of the first identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-1 , making its conductive strip discontinuous. When this breaking occurs, a current continuity test between a first inner top section and a second inner top section of a conductive strip of the second identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-2 may still indicate whether the cable 124 has been broken, regardless of the breaking of the top bridge section of the conductive strip of the first identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-1. Additionally, the second identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-2 may further provide triggering redundancy capabilities to the assembly 800. For example, when the top bridge section of the conductive strip of the first identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-1 breaks before rupturing the cable 124, a second current may still be applied through the conductive strip of the second identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-2 to break the cable 124.

[0040] FIG. 9 depicts a flowchart of an example method performed by a processor to control an actuator including the two identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802.

[0041] Starting at block 905, a determination may be made by the processor of whether the identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802 are in a secured configuration. The determination of the secured configuration may be performed by running a test current through logic contacts in possible contact with each of the identicalnon-explosive release mechanisms 802, for example, through inner electrical contacts opposite inner leg sections of each of the identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802. If open circuits are detected through the logic contacts for both of the identical nonexplosive release mechanisms 802, an affirmative determination that the identical nonexplosive release mechanisms 802 are in the secured configuration can be made by the processor, indicating that a cable 124 is correctly arranged through both of the identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802. Conversely, if a closed circuit is detected through at least one of the logic contacts of the identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802, a negative determination can be made by the processor, indicating that the cable 124 is not arranged through at least one of the identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802.

[0042] If the determination at block 905 is negative, the processor may proceed to block 910. At block 910 the processor may generate a notification that the identical nonexplosive release mechanisms 802 are not in the secured configuration. The notification may additionally indicate which of the identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802 is not in the secured configuration. The notification may be, for example, a visual or audio indication that a component, such as a display, a speaker, an LED light, etc. of a computing device wirelessly connected to the processor may generate. Additionally, the processor may optionally record the notification in a remote database.

[0043] After generating the notification, the processor may return to block 905 for a subsequent determination of the secured configuration.

[0044] If the determination at block 905 is affirmative, the processor may proceed to block 915. At block 915, a determination may be made by the processor of whether a trigger command has been generated, for example, by a different method run by the processor in parallel to the example method 900 or by a computing device wirelessly connected to the processor.

[0045] If the determination at block 915 is negative, the processor may return to block 905 for a subsequent determination of the secured configuration and iteration through the method 900.

[0046] If the determination at block 915 is affirmative, the processor may proceed to block 920. At block 920, a determination may be made by the processor of whether a fast release is required to trigger the actuator, by for example, determining the status of a fast release flag. The fast release flag may be set, for example, by a different method run by the processor in parallel to the example method 900 or by a computing device wirelessly connected to the processor, for example, when the actuator releases a safety mechanism, such as a parachute, for safe landing of an object such as a payload, an unmanned aerial vehicle, etc., in the event that the fast release is critical, for example, when the object is below a specific height threshold from the ground.

[0047] If the determination at block 920 is negative, the processor may proceed to block 925. At block 925 the processor may drive a current through the first identical nonexplosive release mechanism 802-1 , for example, through control contacts contacting the first identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802-1 , for example, through outer electrical contacts contacting outer leg sections the first identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-1 , breaking the cable 124 in, for example, less than about 5 ms.

[0048] If the determination at block 920 is affirmative, the processor may proceed to block 930. At block 930 the processor may drive a high current through the first identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-1 , for example, through the control contacts contacting the first identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802-1 , breaking the cable 124 in, for example, less than about 2 ms.

[0049] After the current or the high current has been driven by the processor through the first identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-1 at blocks 925 or 930, respectively, the processor may proceed to block 935. At block 935, the processor may determine whether the identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802 are in a triggered configuration. The determination of the triggered configuration may be performed by running a test current through the logic contacts for each of the identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802. If closed circuits are detected through the logic contacts of both of the identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802, the processor can determine that the cable 124 was successfully broken and that both of the identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802 reached the triggered configuration. If an open circuit isdetected through the logic contacts of the first identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-1 and a closed circuit is detected through the logic contacts of the second identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-2, the processor can determine that the cable 124 was successfully broken, that a top bridge section of the first identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-1 may have broken upon successfully breaking the cable 124, and that the second identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-2 reached the triggered configuration. Conversely, if a closed circuit is detected through the logic contacts of the first identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-1 and an open circuit is detected through the logic contacts of the second identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-2, the processor can determine that the first identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-1 has successfully broken the cable 124 and reached the triggered configuration, and that the second identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-2 may be stuck in the secured configuration. If open circuits are detected through the logic contacts of both of the identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802, the processor can determine that the cable 124 was not broken and that the identical nonexplosive release mechanisms 802 did not reach the triggered configuration. Additionally, if the high current was run through the first identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-1 and open circuits are detected through the logic contacts of both of the identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802, the processor can additionally determine that the cable 124 was not broken and that the top bridge section of the first identical nonexplosive release mechanism 802-1 may have broken before without successfully breaking the cable 124. Overall, an affirmative determination of the triggered configuration, signaling the successful breaking of the cable 124, can be made by the processor when a closed circuit is detected through the logic contacts of at least one of the identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802.

[0050] If the determination at block 935 is negative, the processor may proceed to block 940. At block 940 the processor may drive a current through the second identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-2, for example, through control contacts contacting the second identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802-2, for example, through outer electrical contacts contacting outer leg sections the second identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-2, to break the cable 124 in for example, less than about 5 ms.

[0051] After driving the current through the second identical non-explosive release mechanism 802-2 at block 940, the processor may return to block 935 for a subsequent determination of whether the identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802 are in the triggered configuration.

[0052] If the determination at block 935 is affirmative, the processor may proceed to block 945. At block 945, the processor may generate a notification indicating that the cable 124 was successfully broken and that at least one of the identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802 reached the triggered configuration. Additionally, the notification may include further details pertaining to the triggering of the identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802, indicating, for example, a time to release, which of the identical non-explosive release mechanisms 802 reached the triggered configuration, a number of attempts to release, etc. The notification may be, for example, a visual or audio indication that a component, such as a display, a speaker, an LED light, etc. of a computing device wirelessly connected to the processor may generate. Additionally, the processor may optionally record the notification in a remote database.

[0053] After generating the notification at block 945, the processor may exit the method 900.

[0054] Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the claims appended hereto. For example, while the actuator has been described as arranged in the secure configuration by a cable, a different elongated component such as a rope, a flat strip, etc. that is capable of bearing a load may be alternatively used. Alternatively, a different mechanical component, such as, for example, a clamping mechanism, made of a material that is capable of bearing a load and that additionally may be broken upon heating, may be used instead of a cable. While the conductive strip has been described as having at least two inner leg sections joined by at least one top bridge section, an alternative conductive strip may be used that has a different number of leg sections, forexample three leg sections joined by at least one top bridge section, the three leg sections oriented in a non-parallel direction to the at least one top bridge section for example, in a perpendicular direction to the at least one top bridge. Additionally, while the at least one top bridge section has been described as a glow wire section that breaks the cable by heating the cable, an alternative top bridge section configured differently may be used to break the cable, for example, an alternative top bridge section provided with a sharp edge and configured to be electrically actuated may break the cable without heating it. Furthermore, while two outer leg sections joined to two inner leg sections by base bridge sections have been discussed to provide additional mechanical stability to a conductive strip, different elements or mechanisms for providing additional mechanical stability to the conductive strip may be used, for example, by providing base subsections of increased dimensions at ends of leg sections opposite the at least one top bridge section, by providing clamping mechanisms to secure ends of leg sections opposite the at least one top bridge section, by providing buttress sections extending outwardly from the leg sections or extending outwardly from opposite ends of the at least one top bridge section, etc.

[0055] The example non-explosive release mechanisms described herein can advantageously be used to trigger actuators to release loads without using an explosive energy source which may otherwise potentially damage the loads being released as well as the actuators themselves. The example non-explosive release mechanisms may additionally enable reusing the actuator for subsequent release of loads by re-arranging the actuator and the non-explosive release mechanisms in a secured configuration using, for example, a cable. Optionally, in the event a non-explosive release mechanism is spent during release of the load, for example in the event of a breaking of a section or a subsection of a conductive strip of the non-explosive release mechanism, the actuator may be reused for subsequent release of loads by replacing the spent non-explosive release mechanism with a new non-explosive release mechanism. Additionally, the nonexplosive release mechanisms may facilitate a rapid triggering of the actuator, for example, by rupturing the cable in less than about 5 ms. or less than about 2 ms. A current driven through the non-explosive release mechanisms to break the cable as described herein can be powered by a small energy storage unit, for example, by a coin battery cell,a capacitor, etc., which can facilitate triggering of the actuator as part of, for example, a payload delivery system without requiring energy from the payload delivery system to trigger the actuator, which can facilitate triggering the actuator in an emergency situation even when the payload delivery system is without power. Using more than one identical non-explosive release mechanisms to trigger the actuator can provide the actuator with triggering redundancy capabilities to facilitate the release of a load in an event when one of the identical non-explosive release mechanisms does not succeed in triggering the actuator, for example, when a section or a subsection of the conductive strip of one of the identical non-explosive release mechanisms breaks before successfully breaking the cable. Additionally, using more than one identical non-explosive release mechanisms to trigger the actuator can further provide the system interacting with the actuator with enhanced actuator state determination capabilities, for example, by enabling a determination of whether the actuator has been successfully triggered regardless of the breaking of a section or a subsection of the conductive strip of one of the identical nonexplosive release mechanisms.

[0056] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments set forth in the above examples but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A release mechanism comprising: a conductive strip including: a first and a second inner leg sections configured to be resilient; and at least one electrically conductive top bridge section connecting the inner leg sections configured to break a cable positioned against the at least one top bridge section when an electrical current is applied through the at least one top bridge section releasing an actuator secured by the cable.

2. The release mechanism of claim 1 wherein the at least one top bridge section is a glow wire section.

3. The release mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, the conductive strip further comprising: at least one additional top bridge section connecting the inner leg sections.

4. The release mechanism of according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the cable applies a force to the at least one top bridge section that deforms the first and the second inner leg sections to a stressed height, the stressed height being different to a relaxed height of the inner leg sections when no force is applied to the at least one top bridge section.

5. The release mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the inner leg sections are electrically conductive so that a current applied between the inner leg sections breaks the cable.

6. The release mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 4, the conductive strip further comprising: a first and a second outer leg sections; anda first and a second base bridge sections connecting the first outer leg section to the first inner leg section and the second outer leg section to the second inner leg section, respectively.

7. The release mechanism of claim 6 wherein the inner and the outer leg sections and the base bridge sections are electrically conductive so that a current applied between the outer leg sections breaks the cable.

8. The release mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 7 further comprising: a second conductive strip identical to the conductive strip configured to break the cable when the cable is further positioned against at least one second conductive strip top bridge section when an electrical current is applied through the at least one second conductive strip top bridge section.

9. The release mechanism of claim 6 further comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB) with including: a first and a second outer electrical contacts; and a first and a second inner electrical contacts arranged between the outer electrical contacts; wherein the PCB is arranged proximal to the conductive strip with the outer and the inner electrical contacts facing the conductive strip so that the outer electrical contacts contact the outer leg sections, so that the inner leg sections do not contact the inner electrical contacts when the cable is positioned against the at least one top bridge section, and so that the inner leg sections contact the inner electrical contacts when the cable is broken.

10. The release mechanism of claim 9 wherein a current continuity test between any two adjacent electrical contacts of the inner and outer electrical contacts of the PCB indicates whether the cable has been broken.

11. The release mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the conductive strip is at least partially coated with a highly electrically conductive material.

12. The release mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the release mechanism has a release time of less than about 5 ms.

13. The release mechanism of claim 8 wherein the release mechanism has a release time of less than about 2 ms.

14. The release mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 13 further comprising: a connection terminal block configured to support the conductive strip.

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